Open Your Eyes

“Duo, hold still while I finish your hair,” Sister Helen told the long-haired boy who was sitting at her feet, munching on a slice of toast while trying to fasten his tie with his free hand. “Trowa, help Duo with his tie,” she added when she saw that her charge was getting nowhere fast.

The tall boy sighed and set his backpack down, kneeling in front of Duo and batting his hand away, fastening the tie for him. “Fifteen years old and you can’t even dress yourself,” he teased.

“Hey, you try eating breakfast and tying these stupid things first thing in a morning,” Duo protested, making Trowa smile. Duo was definitely not a morning person and needed all the help he could get just to make it out of bed. “Why do we have to wear a tie anyway?” he whined.

“Because it’s part of your school uniform,” Sister Helen reminded him tiredly, having giving the same answer for what seemed like the fifth time that day. “That’s what it said on the items list and I am not having you thrown out on your first day just because you don’t agree with their dress code.”

“I won’t get thrown out,” Duo assured her with a grin. “I’m too adorable.”

Trowa just rolled his eyes as he finished knotting Duo’s tie, then went over to check his things.

“Have you got your lunch, Trowa?” Sister Helen asked as she tied a band around the end of Duo’s braid.

“Yes, Sister Helen,” the boy replied, taking out the small paper bag so that she could see.

“Are you sure you don’t want anything more than those sandwiches and an apple?” the nun questioned, a slight frown adorning her features.

“I’ll be fine,” Trowa told her.

“Well at least eat some toast before you go,” Sister Helen insisted. The boy never ate enough as it was and he was still far too thin for her liking.

“I’m not hungry, thanks,” he replied in that same soft voice.

“Well, alright,” said Sister Helen dubiously. “But ask Father Maxwell for some money in case you want to buy anything extra while you’re at school.”

“Hey, you didn’t ask me if I have enough lunch,” Duo exclaimed, shoving the rest of his toast in his mouth.

“I didn’t have to,” Sister Helen told him, poking him in the ribs and making him squirm. If Trowa never ate enough, Duo never seemed to stop eating. It still amazed her that he stayed so slim considering how much he could pack away, but then he was a growing boy.

Duo flashed her a grin and got up to take his backpack from Trowa. “We all set?” he asked and Trowa gave a nod.

“Ahh, you’re ready to go it seems.” Both boys looked up as Father Maxwell entered the room. He was a kindly looking man and quite tall although it had become a running joke that it wouldn’t take Trowa much longer to grow even taller than he was. The boy was already at six feet. “I expect you’ll be wanting your spending money?”

Duo nodded eagerly and held out his hand, frowning when Father Maxwell bypassed him and handed the money over to Trowa. “Why don’t I get to carry it?” he complained.

“Because you’ll spend it all on candy before you even get to school,” Father Maxwell replied sternly. “I can trust Trowa not to do something as silly.”

Duo groaned and shook his head. “Man, I am so hard done by,” he muttered.

“One of us has to be responsible,” Trowa said with a small smile. “And that just happens to be me.”

“Oh shut up,” Duo said with a pout.

“Boys, boys, don’t fight!” Father Maxwell said loudly, clapping his hands to get their attention. “It’s your first day at school. Now listen up. I want both of you to be on your best behaviour. Remember your manners and just try to do your best, alright?”

“Yes, sir!” Duo replied, giving a mock-salute.

“Take care of each other,” Sister Helen told them, giving each of them a hug.

“We will,” Trowa promised, leading Duo out of the back door. “Come on, we’ ll be late if we don’t hurry up.”

“Have a good day at school,” Father Maxwell called as he and Sister Helen watched the boys make their way down the garden path and out onto the street.

They waved and then began walking the short distance to their new school.

Notre Dame was the only Catholic school in town and both Father Maxwell and Sister Helen had been very keen on their two boys attending that school. Their exam results were way above average and the school itself was excellent.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the school and after a few minutes, they found the receptionist’s desk.

“Trowa Barton and Duo Maxwell,” Trowa told her. “We’re the new students.”

“Barton and Maxwell…” the secretary said under her breath as she flipped through the filing cabinet beside her desk. “From the Maxwell Church, right?” Both boys nodded and she smiled. “Well at least you don’t have far to walk to get here.” She pulled out each of their files and glanced through them. “I see your enrolment forms have already been taken care of. All you need now are your timetables and a copy of the school handbook.” She handed them the items and Trowa quickly scanned his timetable. His first class was English. He peered over Duo’s shoulder to see that his first class was Biology.

“We aren’t in all of the same classes,” he commented, feeling a little nervous. He was never very good at making new friends; in fact he didn’t much care to be around people full stop.

“Hmm, we have PE together last period,” Duo said, pointing out the block. “I have double Biology this morning, what have you got? English and Psychology?” He paused for a moment, worrying his lower lip as he thought. “How about I meet you back here for lunch?” Trowa nodded and hitched his bag over his shoulder.

“Which way are the science labs?” Duo asked the receptionist and she gave him directions while Trowa only half-listened. “Okay, Tro-man, I’ll see you at lunch,” Duo told him. He frowned when he saw the apprehensive expression on Trowa’s face. “Hey, chin up,” he said cheerfully. “It might not be all bad. You might even make some new friends.” Trowa only snorted as if to say yeah, right. Duo couldn’t help but feel a little worried about him though. He had no problem interacting with people, but he knew Trowa was shy and preferred not to talk much. “And if anyone gets on your case, I’ll kick ‘em to Hell and back.”

“Better not let Sister Helen hear you say that,” Trowa replied with a smile.

“Hey, no one treats my bro badly,” Duo said, slinging his arm around Trowa’s waist and giving him an affectionate squeeze. “Or they’ll have the God of Death to answer to.”

“Duo, I’ll be okay,” Trowa assured him, pulling away and straightening his shoulders.

“Okay then, just don’t forget to meet me back here at 12,” Duo reminded before he went off in search of the labs. Trowa sighed and turned in the opposite direction in search of his own classroom.